SCHIP Bill
Lots of questions pertaining to the SCHIP Bill. Federal Tobacco Tax will increase on April 1, 2009. There is a floor tax imposed on all tobacco products EXCEPT large cigars. It would be WISE to purchase a large amount of cigarettes, RYO tobacco, papers, and tubes BEFORE April 1, 2009 to avoid the MASSIVE tax increase on those items. Don’t wait til the end of March!

Our Guests
Wow, It was great to see Kurt, Scott, and Belinda and sales crew from XIKAR who were all in Phoenix for their National Sales Meeting. Also present was Jesus Fuego who spent a lot of time at the Tinder Box in Ahwatukee.

Tinder Box now carries the NjOY Smokeless (Electronic) cigarette and cigar. Stop by and check this out. They are not meant to replace cigarettes and cigars but to complement use in places that do not allow smoking.

New cigars at the Tinder Box Ahwatukee:
Kristoff
Arganese CL3 and ML3
Rocky Patel Winter Blend
Ambos Mundos by Pete Johnson

Coming soon: Oliva Reserve Connecticut

This “cigar” event is going to be with NjOY smokeless cigars and cigarettes.

Come meet Keith an Dale from NjOY and try out these new smokeless tobacco products.

puffingcigars.com Note:
We are not quite sure what will be displayed at the cigar event but I can assure you that I will be there to see these products in action.

It is extremley interesting that NjOY has a product made for cigar smokers. While anyone over here at puffingcigars.com is not trying to quit, it might be interesting to see if they can ever mimick the true flavor of smoking a cigar.

Either way, everyone should attend the event and have a reason to get together.

Tinder Box Ahwatukee has one of the largest humidors in the state of Arizona with 900 square feet of selection. I have to assume that filling a 900 square foot humidor allows for some major purchasing power and discounts from his suppliers since the shop stocks more than 200 brands. The prices of the cigars are great and you will not find any price gouging with the popular cigars.

I must also give Tinder Box Ahwatukee credit for carrying more humidors, pipes, pipe tobacco, magazines, and even knifes than any other shop I have been to. It makes it quite fun to browse the store. Prices on these items are also great.

Every visit to the cigar store has involved an enjoyable conversation with Jeff Cayton and a friendly greeting/farewell from all his knowledgeable employees. They allow you to browse the huge humidor in peace and always seem to step in only when you were about to ask a question. It’s a great shopping experience for a great shopping atmosphere.

Tinder Box Ahwatukee is also known for their very large – very luxurious private cigar club: Camacho Cigar Club. Mr. Cayton has graced me with a tour of this club (it requires a secret pin to enter). A custom pool table, private lockers, multiple LCD HD televisions, beautiful leather chairs, and perfect lighting for the PERFECT smoking experience. Perfection comes with a price.

Unfortunately I can not afford to pay the yearly dues for a private club. This makes the public smoking area of the shop my only other option. The public area contains three high-tops and 12 chairs in a small cramped corner. While smoking there with a friend you can not enjoy a private conversation or while alone you can’t stretch out to be comfortable. I have never enjoyed smoking a cigar with this seating arrangement but I LOVE shopping there. I also want to mention that all his customers, regulars, and people who hang out at the shop are a great bunch of people and always find my self forgetting about the seating and running to the humidor for my second stick.

Tinder Box Ahwatukee is a shop first and then a lounge for the select few (and now I have motivation to ask my boss for that raise).

Jeff Cayton’s Tinder Box Ahwatukee
(480) 961-7777
4611 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite #106
Phoenix, AZ 85048
Visit the Tinder Box website